Nomads cruise to victory (From Stroud News and Journal)

Nomads cruise to victory

Stow on the Wold II 10 Stroud Nomads 37

This was a comfortable win for Stroud who looked to use their speedy backs at every opportunity to pile on the points and impress attending coach Dennis Hargreaves.

Dave Clutterbuck opened when he was able to run through from the 22 metre line following Stroud camping themselves inside Stow's half. Julian Harry converted, and added a penalty shortly after.

Stroud's forwards dominated their opponents with Mark Phillips, Rob Davey and Lee Marshall dictating procedures.

The Nomads pinged the ball wide with abandon, John Butcher ultimately finding a chink in the defence and was away to the line. Not to be outdone, Andre Sharp on the left wing was let loose against a fragile Stow defence and he scored in the opposite corner.

Stow had little to offer in preventing Stroud notching up more points but showed great commitment in trying to staunch the flow, however another display of good handling saw an unusual three quarters combination of forwards. Jarrett to Clutterbuck to Jason Flannery was sufficient and the hooker made twenty metres to score in the corner.

Very much against the run of play Dave Harvey was to run in a try under the posts for Stow, sadly the conversion was fluffed. In retaliation Julian Harry made good ground from wide to score and leave Stow with plenty to do at half time being 30-5 down.

Perhaps it was heavy Stroud legs or Stow showing better commitment but the one way traffic stopped, although Harry was to nail the result with an early try that Andy Westley converted.

John Wand was having a stormer in defence and attack, this slightly built scrum half fearlessly tackling all before him. He looked to run the ball from all parts and was unlucky with a personal effort to the line that was stopped with an excellent tackle.

James Cass showed great maturity and read the ball well joining the line at every opportunity to stretch Stow, and with Guy Hopson and Andy Westley looking to create openings it was surprising that the score board was hardly troubled for the remainder of the match. Even Andy Jarrett's dalliance at stand off late on couldn't find an opening.

Due reward eventually came for Stow when James Whiteman touched down late in the game, but by then there was never a doubt of the result.

Stow creditably prevented certain tries in the second half from Sharp, John Wand and Anton Rhodes with improved tackling, but the Nomads left the field with a win at a canter. No first team game but a very entertaining afternoon at Stow.

* Brixham visit Fromehall Park next Saturday - a must win game for Stroud to kick start their season.

Stroud are looking to field their best team for the first time this season with injured and unavailable players back in the fold.